Patsime Cultural Arts Center

Date: 27-29 March 2009
Time: Friday 7pm - Sunday noon
Place: Seattle, Washington
Cost: $200

Saturday Evening Special Events:
Cultural Presentation 8-9pm -$5 for non-registered guests
Dandaro Party 9pm til 1am.

Brighten up an otherwise dreary month of March and come spend a weekend playing and learning mbira music with Claire Jones. Mbira will be taught and played from beginner through advanced levels. This music weekend may be unlike any you’ve experienced before. Claire specializes in ensemble playing of two or more mbiras as is played in Zimbabwe, and is an expert at individualizing instruction according to level, ability and mood. To the extent of your interest and abilities, We will focus on exquisite arrangements and variations of one or more traditional mbira pieces. You will leave the weekend with an understanding and intimate familiarity with the chosen pieces.

Nhapitapi: Sweet, pleasing music!

Accompanying lyrics and social and cultural context of the music will be taught. Time will be set aside Saturday evening for a cultural presentation, followed by socializing and playing.

The weekend is open to mbira players from beginning through advanced levels. Lesson groups will be organized according to prior experience and ability.

Check-in is at 6pm. Friday; departure at noon on Sunday. The cost of this weekend includes all instruction, meals (Saturday breakfast through Sunday breakfast), and communal accommodation in a beautiful Seattle home. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis when the registration deposit is paid.

Nhapitapi: Good, sweet fun!

The cost is $200. Space can be reserved by sending a deposit of $100 per person (made out to Claire Jones) and sent to the address below. Cancellations after February 15th will receive a 50% refund and no refunds will be made for cancellations after March 1, 2008.

What to bring: Bring mbiras if you have them. A limited number of mbiras in the standard tuning played by Cosmas Magaya will be available for loan during the workshop. BYOS (snacks) and BYOB (if you want wine or beer).

Registered participants will receive details with directions and schedule.

Clock hours may be available for teachers who complete this workshop. Call for information.

Make checks to: Claire Jones

Mail deposits to:
Kim Foley
P.O. Box 17621
Seattle, Washington 98127, USA

For questions and/or registration:
Contact: Kim Foley
Phone: (509) 363-0077
Email: info@patsime.com

Nhapitapi: Good times!

Claire

Bio

Claire Jones has been involved with Zimbabwean music since 1976 when she first fell in love with the
marimbas and started studying with the late Dumisani
Maraire. She performed for several years with Dumi and
the Maraire Marimba Ensemble both in the U.S. and in
Zimbabwe, and was a founding member of the Seattle
marimba groups Kutamba and Musango. While living in
Zimbabwe from 1985 to 1990 she played mbira with Mhuri Yekwa Muchena and authored the book Making Music: Musical Instruments in Zimbabwe Past and Present. She is honored to count Mondrek Muchena and Zhanje Mujuru as her main mbira teachers; she has also learned from, among others, members of Mhuri Yekwa Muchena, Ephat Mujuru, Musekiwa Chingodza, Stella Chiweshe and Sydney Maratu.

In 2006, Claire completed her doctoral degree with a
dissertation on the modern Zimbabwean marimba. She is currently teaching and playing mbira and
marimba in Seattle; her group Mahonyera Mbira Ensemble has been together since 1991.

Claire with Simon Mashoko Gwenyambira (2000)

Ask about scholarships.